Green Clean Schools Act Sails Through Illinois House

by Mark Bishop, HSC Deputy Director

The Illinois House Wednesday passed the Green Clean Schools Act (HB0895), bringing it closer to becoming state law. The act is a major part of HSC's legislative agenda this year, and it's good to see it move ahead. Check out our press release for more information.

School nurses, educators, and cleaning professionals across the state contacted their representatives to ask them to support this bill. We know of a number of personal phone calls that directly led to a representative signing on in support of the act. Our voices are being heard. Many thanks to the individuals who made phone calls and to the diverse coalition of allies that truly drove the support on this issue.

The act also benefited from the support of Rep. Karen May (D-Highwood), who we thank for her strong leadership on green cleaning.

We're working with Senate leaders to introduce the bill, and it will be exciting to continue working with our allies to let our state senators know about the benefits of green cleaning in schools and the importance of this legislation.

Want more information on the Green Clean Schools Act? Visit our website for legislative updates along with facts on why green cleaning matters and what you can do to support green cleaning in schools.

Comments

[Phyllis Pelt]

Congrats. HSC has worked very hard to get to this point with the Green CLean School Act. I can only forsee positives when this becomes law.

[Mark Bishop]

Thanks. We have been working this hard, but we have a great coalition of health professionals, cleaning professionals, teachers, unions... It's really been a great effort on the part of so many people.

[Charlotte Hendrickson]

As a mother, I am extremely grateful for this act. I experienced headaches and respiratory irritation in school due to cleaning agents, painting indoors, etc. Thanks for the commitment to protect our children from exposure to toxins in the future!

[Bob Ray]

This is a great step toward creating healthier environments in all Illinois schools. Green cleaning is a responsible way to protect the health of children and employees.

[Andrew King]

Congratulations Mark and everyone else at HSC. I've been trying to follow your successes while I've been abroad, and this is certainly one of the biggest. Best of luck in your upcoming campaigns, I look forward to seeing many of them in action when I return to Chicago.